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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-04-07, Page 1MPPsays economIcrackage has 'tough masons' to c+itit►tfvincial spending CLINTON - MPP Paul Klcpp staid Priday the AllaillniC.-paoMttlae announced by Premier Bob x1110411111110 tilty'4way the government can contin- ue to Invest in jobs, and protect services such as health care and education. The economic package outlined at the NDP government's caucus retreat has the following elements: •To maintain inveetement in sOntario Train' programs. •To reduce the 'ng expenditures. This in+lMMebips to further cut costs by restructuring and reforming government departments and programs. •To negotiate a social contract- an agreement aimed at restructuring the public sector and re- ducing its costs. That includes provincial gov- ernment employees such as members of the Weeder public sector. •To increase government revenues'nl combination of tax and non -tax aroasnres eta iis- set sales. 'We all need to work together to secure jobs now and jobs for the future and to keep our es- aential services such as health care and educa- ion," Klopp said, "But we can't do that unless -we reduce overall government spending and Control the provincial debt, this a problem we all share - and the economic package is the fairest way to do that." Kropp said the NDP government will work to ensure that the entire economic package is de- veloped in a way that is as fair and balanced as possible. Tax measures won't be announced un- til the upcoming budget but work is being done immediately on ways to further cut government spending, and meetings between government ne- gotiators and representatives of public sector employers and employees will begin April 5. _ 'I've got to be Want - I know these are tough -Lit expect anybody to be very But I have a responsibility to the people of My riding and to their children and to their children's future." Klopp said he intends to work hard with em- ployers and employees in Huron to build new job training opportunities. "Investment in jobs is a cornerstone of the governments economic package, we have to continue to invest in pro- grams like jobsOntario Training and jobsOntario Capital." "We're determined to keep the deficit to below $10 billion ," said Klopp, "We can't let things reach the point where in the future international capital markets refuse to lend Ontario money without imposing stringent conditions on how we spend money on health care, on education, or jobs." �nsIdf Going to Grand.nd Quality Flowers & Plants Satisfaction Guaranteed b COUNTRY FLOWERS Exeter _ Sr Gaiser Knetlle Investments RSPs GIC's Seg Funds 235-2420 council defers two dollar garbage bag plan decision one more time EXETER - Although a final deci- sion on whether or not Exeter would be getting a user -pay gar - Id Exeter train "Proms ,t take was expected bage programand what shape that .. Monday evening. Council have yet ..again deferred the decision for :at station fis e, least another two weeks. Last month council were divided on• whether town residents should home outer town.s made to pay $2 for each garbage By Peed Groves T -A staff GRAND BEND - Subject to a site plan agreement, it looks as though the Exeter Railway Station will be getting a new home. Monde y night, 4lrandltend .optanahiptiOnertinne Wilson toldlattatik she is very close to buying the 8rkateseCld blending and turning it into an office which would be located oway 81 in the village. Wilson told council that the Goderich-Exeter Railway Company which owns the building, will demolish it by June 1 if the Exeter and District Heritage Foundation does not find a use for it. "If the historical society can't do anything with the building, then I would like to," said Wilson. 'The .demolition of the building would be a great loss." She said that back on March 12, she was informed she could have the building. The biggest problem now is moving the 40 foot wide and 70 foot long structure to Grand. Bend. "We've got estimates, we've been to the bank and everything is falling into place," said Wilson. Wilson presented a proposed site plan and asked that council assist her with some of the financing as far as splitting the cost of the survey goes. Her proposal is to have the station located near the power lines on High- way 81 but noted she already has co-operation from a neighbouring land- owner who has permitted her to use his driveway to get the station onto her property. Grand Bend's building inspector has examined the station and has told council it looks as though it can be moved to a new location. Restoration compromise: • Wilson plans on restoring the station as much as possible to meet building codes and is looking at constructing a sort of platform just like the original station had and perhaps building an equipment shed, similar to one which would have been at an old railway station. "In everything where there is restoration there has to be compromise," said Wilson. Such 'things as wire hanging from the ceiling would not be permitted and there would have to be some work to the inside of the station. Wilson said she has been doing a lot of preliminary work and told coun- cil once the station was brought to the village, a hole could be dug, the foundation built and the station could come to rest at its new location with- in 30 days. Not only will the restored station provide a new place of business for Wilson, but no doubt could be of a tourist interest and attract people to Grand Bend. "I think this will be a big addition to the town," said Wilson. One reason she is seeking the station is because she now has over 2,000 patients and said four of those are from Ottawa and others are from towns outside of the immediate arca. Council seemed very excited about the project and are planning to work with Wilson to make her dream come true. "I think it's tremendous to sec you reinvesting resources in Grand Bend," said Mayor Tom Lawson. The Exeter and District Heritage Foundation had looked into restoring the station built in 1911 but could not find a use for it. Local music students win awards in festival LONDON - Music students from the South Huron and North Middlesex arca have done well in London's annual Kiwanis Music Festival. Susan Graham, who offers vocal lessons in Exeter, said three of her stu- dents all won their respective classes in the festival. Bronwyn Pearson placed first in the folksong class; and Stephanie Erb and Julie Godbolt both won their age classes. "We were saying Huron County was pretty well represented," said Gra- ham of the festival in genial. Graham said there was fairly stiff competition at the festival for the sev- en students from her clasaes•who still managed to do well. "They did well, it gives you something to aim for," she said. Lora Lee Hardy of RR2 Lucan also won the junior vocal trophy at the festival on Friday. A member of the Lucan Holy Trinity Church Junior choir, Hardy receives instruction from Beulah Hardy and Ruth CJaestaens. The choir itself, led by Jackie Martens. also placed first in the unison group and second in two-part songs. A :uset out at the curb, if they .mnight get a number of tags free each year, or if the whole plan might be abandoned. DeptOseeve Lo$sy Alfit tractors have started bringing wattle to the site because its tipping fees, although recently increased, are still less then other local dumps. "The suggestion is that people are abusing our dump facility," agreed mayor Bruce Shaw. "A great deal of landfill material is coming in that should not be there." • But Shaw also said many town ' -residents don't realize the dump site is in a true "crisis situation" as the town was informed by the Ministry of the Environment. He said resi- dential waste is not decreasing quickly enough, despite enyiron- mental education programs. Councillor Bob Spears advocated a 52 free -tag system for house- holds, requiring those who throw away more than one bag a week to buy more at $2 each. "Fifty-two free, yes I would agree with that" said .zouncillor Tom Humphreys. Councillor Bruin 5illery said he - too agreed with a 52 -tag plan, aid said he preferred to call the extra costs "abuser pay, rather than user - pay". Councillor Ben Hoogenboom, however, was alone in denouncing tag system, arguing to continue TRineatellie plc in—farther alty of reducing garbage. I think there's a lot of work that can bedone to eliminate the waste that ends up in the landfill site," said Hoogenboom. "I have not met anyone yet who has come in sup- port of the $2 tag." Councillor Dave Urlin said he too had spoken to about a dozen people in the past weeks. He said some told him "'I don't want to pay $2 for any garbage', and the other side said *eve got to do something for our "We run the risk of having the dump closed. There are all sons of An Easter bonnet DOS. Meagan White strikes a pose in this outfit from Melba Tuckers at the Exeter WOTCH (Western Ontario Therapeutic Community Hostel) spring fashion show Thursday evening at Frenchman's !nn in Exeter. The show was a fundraiser to help pay for a future addition to the WOTCH building, which provides a day centre for people with psychiatric disabilities. 4 axes over our heads," said Shaw. Glenn Kells said a study indicat- ed that Exeter households currently throw out about 1.8 bags per person -per week, on average. Reeve Bill Mickle advocated a bylaw for outright bans on some :types of garbage, such as grass clip- pings. .Drummond also advocated "gar- ter police" if necessary to make sure garbage was not dumped, and 'recyclable items were not being in- cluded in landfill waste. Shaw called on council members to review their positions, all the "pluses and minuses" and be pre- pared to attend a special council meeting next Tuesday to make a fi- nal decision for approval at coun- cil's April 19 meeting. "How long are we going to con- tinue deferring this until we make a decision?" asked Drummond. Fi rst. Q f j#s ick in Ontario compost iitiot-t----- proiect coming to Usborne Township GRAND BEND - The Bluewater Recycling Association, in conjunc- tion with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, is about to launch a project which will determine the most effective means of distribut- ing a valuable waste management tool to households. Over the next 13 weeks Bhtewa- ter's "Compost Crew" will attempt to distribute 3,000 backyard com- posters to the residents of the towns of Goderich and Forest and the Townships of Usborne and Blan- shard. The compost crew is hoping to meet as many residents as possi- ble to determine the numbers of that are presently composting, and to encourage more to do so. With Ministry of Environment support householders will be able to obtain backyard composters fora nominal fee through Bluewater's Backyard Compost projects. "This is the first composting pro- ject of its kind in the province." said Lynda Roueau, Education Co- ordinator for the Bluewater Recy- cling Association. Using this sys- tem it is estimated that some 30 percent of all household waste can be eliminated with relatively little effort and expense. However, it won't be until May that Usborne Township residents receive their composters. New brochure to attract investment in South Huron EXETER - The South Huron Ec- onomic Development Committee plans to put together a new bro- chure to promote the south end of the county as possible locations for future development. "There's $8,000 to be spent and we felt this was a worthy praita -" said Exeter administrate( R'Dc Hundey when presenting the propo- sal to town council Monday eve- ning. The $8,000 comes from the Eco- nomic Development Fund, but esti- mates of the brochure's cost are over S10.000 and the shortfall would be picked up by the repre- sented municipalities. Exeter's share would be $308. "I agree it would appear a very small amount, although I would wonder why [the project] couldn't stay within the $8,000," asked councillor Ben Hoogenboom. Huntley said the figure was only what was left in the budget, and the brochure was the result of a "search" for something to friend it on. Councillor Bob Spews asked if the brochure might become quickly dated, but Hundey said the photos taken would be kept fairly timeless, and data could be updated to insert in the brochure's pocket. Hundey said the town lately hasn't actively pursued outside in- vestment itself "for budget reasons" - although he noted the town does Jjpllow up possible development Awls on more of a "rifle approach" amber than a "shotgun approach" of a widely -issued brochure. "We felt we could get better bang for our buck this way," said Hun- dey. Spears suggested Exeter's page of the brochure could be reproduced for the town's own use. When asked, Hundey explained 3,000 brochures would be printed for general use. "The idea is that all municipali- ties and [Centralia] college would be able to distribute them as they see fit," said Hundey, adding that a possible Community Futures office in Clinton could also have a few on hand.